Wednesday, February 19, 2014

I'm a huge fan of James Patterson's novels, especially the 'Alex Cross' series. Previously, several of James Patterson's novels were chosen as Book of the Month picks.

His 'Private' series continues to receive mixed reviews. To date, I haven't read any of the novels in the 'Private' series.

However, I will begin reading the series, starting with the seventh and most recent installment titled, 'Private L.A.' - The plot seems quite interesting.

As always... Happy reading!

Synopsis Via Amazon.Com:

Private Jack Morgan investigates the disappearance of the biggest superstar couple in Hollywood.

Thom and Jennifer Harlow are the perfect couple, with three perfect children. They maybe two of the biggest mega movie stars in the world, but they're also great parents, philanthropists and just all-around good people.

When they disappear without a word from their ranch, facts are hard to find. They live behind such a high wall of security and image control that even world-renowned Private Investigator Jack Morgan can't get to the truth.

But as Jack keeps probing, secrets sprout thick and fast--and the world's golden couple may emerge as hiding behind a world of desperation and deception that the wildest reality show couldn't begin to unveil. Murder is only the opening scene.

Celebrate the rich history of African-Americans, with the hardcover gem 'The African Americans: Many Rivers To Cross' by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Donald Yacovone.

The riveting documentary series of the same name recently aired on the PBS channel and was hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Revisit the powerful and remarkable history of African-Americans or for some...learn and embrace the history about yourself, because some... are sorely in need of some knowledge.

Yes...folks like Porsha Williams.

Description Via Amazon:

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross is the companion book to the six-part, six-hour documentary of the same name. The series is the first to air since 1968 that chronicles the full sweep of 500 years of African American history, from the origins of slavery on the African continent and the arrival of the first black conquistador, Juan Garrido, in Florida in 1513, through five centuries of remarkable historic events right up to Barack Obama’s second term as president, when the United States still remains deeply divided by race and class.

The book explores these topics in even more detail than possible in the television series, and examines many other fascinating matters as well, guiding readers on an engaging journey through the Black Atlantic world—from Africa and Europe to the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States—to shed new light on what it has meant, and means, to be an African American.
By highlighting the complex internal debates and class differences within the black experience in this country, readers will learn that the African American community, which black abolitionist Martin R. Delany described as a “nation within a nation,” has never been a truly uniform entity, and that its members have been debating their differences of opinion and belief from their very first days in this country.

The road to freedom for black people in America has not been linear; rather, much like the course of a river, it has been full of loops and eddies, slowing and occasionally reversing current. Ultimately, this book emphasizes the idea that African American history encompasses multiple continents and venues, and must be viewed through a transnational perspective to be fully understood.

'Central Park West', was a soapy nighttime drama, that aired from 1995-1996, for two seasons. The show was hella good and to this day, I feel the show should have been renewed.

Anywho, the show isn't on DVD and trust and believe, folks are searching for it. Well, a 'fairy-godmother', aka "a Youtuber", has uploaded full episodes of the show. So, when you have some time, start enjoying 'Central Park West' all over again, or get hooked, if you've never watched it before.

The cast was stellar and included Tom Verica, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Michele, Lauren Hutton, John Barrowman, Madchen Amick and Rob Liebman. The show went through a slight change in casting later on. But, you'll get the point, and the show flows..

Show Synopsis Via Wikipedia:

Central Park West centered around the glamorous and exciting life of the staff of trendy magazine Communique, owned by Allen Rush (Ron Leibman), "the Darth Vader of publishing".

Mariel Hemingway played the role of Stephanie Wells, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Communique. Central to the plot is the rivalry between Stephanie and Allen's stepdaughter Carrie Fairchild (Mädchen Amick), a scheming young woman who does her best to seduce Stephanie's writer husband Mark Merrill (Tom Verica).

The series followed several other ambitious New Yorkers, their love, treachery, hopes and dreams through thick and thin. One of the most notable being the evil and deceitful Australian bombshell Rachel Dennis (Kylie Travis), the new fashion editor at Communique.

Below are the first four episodes of the show. For additional episodes, head to youtube.

I was completed disgusted today, when watching a clip from today's episode of, 'The View'. The panel discussed the op-ed piece, Mia Farrow's daughter, Dylan Farrow, wrote in the New York Times.

Dylan wrote about being sexually molested by Hollywood director, Woody Allen.

During the segment, Barbara Walters actually DEFENDED Woody Allen. I was shocked. I couldn't believe that Barbara Walters, could be so callous and flippantly dismiss the claims and the deep hurt of Dylan Farrow.

It is awful what happened to Dylan and disgusting that Woody Allen's celebrity friends, still stand by him.

Now while Woody Allen, has stated he didn't do what Dylan claims, please keep in mind, this is the same man who started having sex with the young girl, Soon-Yi, his then girl-friend, Mia Farrow's other adopted daughter. So at the time, Woody was also Soon-Yi's father-figure.

That's sick. Disgusting. To add insult to injury, the two later married and have children.